Projects totalling £2.1 million have been delivered in Aberdeenshire's coastal communities, the council has announced.

Over £650,000 of economic development has helped to develop the schemes, which have created 27 jobs.

The 2012-2015 Aberdeenshire European Fisheries Fund (AEFF) officially closed at the start of this month.

The programme was financed by the European Commission and was administered locally by the Aberdeenshire Fisheries Local Action Group (FLAG) partnership.

Applicants were awarded over £650,000 in Axis 4 EFF grants, helping to deliver the £2.1m worth of projects.

A total of 24 schemes received funding, which included economic diversification both within and outwith the fishing industry; building capacity in communities, creating training and job opportunities and revitalising fisheries areas.


One project included converting a unused fisheries building at Whitehills Marina into 'The Gallery', a high quality seafood restaurant.

In addition, a derelict building at Portsoy Harbour was fully restored into a Boatshed to provide all-year-round building training, while Macduff Shipyards was financed to install a new boat launching ramp way at Macduff Harbour.

Other projects included installing a one-tonne ice machine at Banff Harbour, installing pontoons at Fraserburgh Harbour and developing Wi-Fi capacity in both Fraserburgh fish markets.

The council's Head of Economic Development and FLAG chair, Belinda Miller, said: "The projects approved during the AEFF programme will provide a lasting legacy in Aberdeenshire's fisheries areas.

"AEFF has delivered a wide range of projects that collectively improve people's lives and businesses in the area through the provision of regeneration, diversification and capacity building.

"The fund has provided real opportunities for economic and social prosperity in coastal communities through the creation of jobs, new businesses and training provided."

It is understood a new AEFF fund will be launched in January 2016.

(LM/MH)